Facing Favorites

WOOD

® magazine Senior Design Editor Kevin Boyle has been incorporating veneer into his furniture and gift projects for more than 30 years, and using a lot of different tools during that time for applying it. These are his favorites.

no. 5Z346, $303
It doesn't take a large pump to do the job, just one that can evacuate the air from the bag before the glue starts to set. This pump runs quietly while creating a maximum 22" Hg. You'll need to add a male-threaded ¹⁄₄ " hose-barb fitting and 4–5' of ¹⁄₄ "-ID rubber tubing, available at hardware stores.
Grainger
800-472-4643, grainger.com

• 2×9', no. elitebg2×9, $171
• I really like the flexibility of a polyurethane bag versus a lower-priced vinyl bag because it conforms better to workpieces. This bag (open at both ends) comes with a built-in valve and one end closure; I recommend buying another closure (no. sb-closure, $13). This size bag works for most projects, but you can buy larger and thicker bags if needed.
• Veneer Supplies
• veneersupplies.com

• no. lockonconn, $12.80; no. tubeadptr2, $8.20
• The quick-connect coupler secures the hose to the bag's port without tools, letting you position the workpiece in the bag before connecting the hose/pump. Mate the tubing to the quick-connect coupler with the adapter.
• Veneer Supplies
• veneersupplies.com

no. 33T0828, $26.50
Made especially for cutting veneer, this saw works perfectly when cuttting single sheets.
Lee Valley
800-871-8158, leevalley.com

no. glurllr6, $11.90
Spread glue quickly and evenly with this 6"-wide roller.
Veneer Supplies
veneersupplies.com

• no. XPS01PTJ, $500; 55" guide rail, no. 194368-5, $90
• For cutting a stack of veneer, nothing beats this saw and track combo for creating perfectly straight, tear-out-free edges.
• Makita
• 800-462-5482, makitatools.com